It was like old times for me, being back at the opening of Rangers training camp today at their practice facility in Greenburgh—although in the old days they used to train at places like Glens Falls and Burlington.

I wrote a column for The Journal News and LoHud.com tomorrow about the idea that these Rangers have a legit championship shot, and that hasn’t happened very often since 1994, or since 1940 for that matter. And also that Jaromir Jagr is running out of chances, and that since he is much healthier this year than last, he could be the reason for the Rangers’ improvement more than any other player.

Anyway, Chris Drury won a coin flip for uniform No. 23, which both he and Scott Gomez—the team’s two marquee free-agent signings this summer—wore for their respective teams last year.

Drury won the flip, of course, some of us said, because Drury wins everything—Little League World Series, Stanley Cup, Hobey Baker, all that stuff.

So what number is Gomez wearing?

“Ninety-nine,” he said.

“It was that or 11.”

Gomez said he grew up wearing No. 11 and No. 19 as a kid, and the Devils assigned him No. 23. He told Drury he could have it, being the older of the two, which prompted Drury to suggest the coin flip (reportedly flipped by Glen Sather).

“I don’t think it would be that smart to (try to) get 11,” Gomez said.

He also said that he spoke with Brian Leetch and joked about the availability of No. 2, which is going to the rafters next to No. 11 on Jan. 24, and that Leetch laughed.

Blair Betts agreed to give up his No. 19 to Gomez, who donated $10,000 to Betts’ favorite charity.

So why 19? Because Gomez’s dad was a San Diego sports fan, and Gomez always admired Tony Gwynn, the Hall of Famer and one of the best hitters ever. He later admired No. 19s Steve Yzerman and Joe Sakic.

Guess why Drury, a Connecticut kid, wears 23. Yup, for Don Mattingly.

Drury noted that both were fabulous hitters, both lefties.

“And both should be in the Hall of Fame,” he said.